UiPath Stock Is Surging. Why the AI Winner Is Getting a Big Boost.

UiPath is set to join the S&P MidCap 400 before the market opens on Jan. 2. (Dreamstime)

UiPath stock was rallying Wednesday, with the automation software company set to join the S&P MidCap 400 index at the start of 2026.

Shares jumped 5.9% to $16.90 in early trading. The benchmark S&P 500 index was 0.1% higher.

UiPath will join the S&P MidCap 400 index before trading starts on Jan. 2, S&P Dow Jones Indices said after Tuesday’s close. UiPath is replacing Synovus Financial, which is being acquired by Pinnacle Financial Partners in a deal that is expected to complete soon.

Investors have become more confident this year that UiPath will emerge as one of the winners from the artificial-intelligence boom. Shares are up 33% in 2025, and have surged 26% over the past month alone thanks to strong third-quarter earnings and revenue that eased previous concerns about government spending cuts and AI competition.

S&P Dow Jones Indices also said on Tuesday that CNBC and Golf Channel owner Versant Media will join the S&P SmallCap 600 before trading starts on Jan. 6, the day after Versant is expected to complete its spinoff from Comcast .

Inclusion in an index tends to boost a stock, because exchange-traded and mutual funds that track said index are required by their charters to buy shares.

Write to George Glover at george.glover@dowjones.com